The actors of 'Joint Security Area JSA' shared why they joined Park Chan Wook’s project at a time when he was still a rookie director.
On the 4th, a guest viewing (GV) event was held for 'Joint Security Area JSA' at the Park Chan Wook Theater in CGV Yongsan I-PARK Mall, Seoul, as part of CJ ENM’s 30th anniversary 'Visionary' selection. Director Park Chan Wook and actors Song Kang Ho, Lee Byung Hun, Lee Young Ae, and Kim Tae Woo attended the event.
Released in 2000, 'Joint Security Area JSA' was considered a turning point in Korean cinema, shifting the public’s perception of inter-Korean relations by humanizing the reality of division.
Director Park Chan Wook recalled, "When this film was made in the late 90s, the National Security Act was strictly enforced. Back then, even discussing friendship with a North Korean soldier—who was considered the enemy—could be problematic. I knew this film could lead to legal trouble, but I pushed forward with determination. However, by the time it was released, President Kim Dae Jung had visited North Korea for a summit, and my fears turned out to be unfounded. I made this film with desperation."
Park also joked about his struggles before the film’s success, saying, *"My previous two films failed at the box office. If this one had failed too, it could have been my last. But I wasn’t the only one desperate—*Lee Byung Hun was also going bankrupt with every movie he made."
Lee Byung Hun humorously recalled his initial doubts about the project, saying, "At the time, I had no expectations for the director. (Laughs) A few years ago, at a filmmakers' event in the U.S., I joked during my speech: 'The director and I met in a very strange way. He had two failed films, and I had three failed films. Could there be a better combination?'"
Despite his doubts, Lee admitted that watching the final scene of 'JSA' at a preview deeply moved him. *"After this film, I introduced myself as 'Lee Byung Hun, a popular actor' for the first time. It was an exciting and fun greeting, but it also felt like a rebellion against the industry’s obsession with box office numbers. 'JSA' was the film that first made me think about what it means to be a *popular actor.'”
Lee Young Ae, who starred as the Swiss-Korean military investigator, revealed that she, too, had struggled financially before joining 'JSA.' She shared, "I once lost money investing in 'Inshallah' at CJ in 1997. (Laughs) I wasn’t in the best situation either. But good people came together for this film, the timing was right, and the script was excellent."
Song Kang Ho admitted he initially turned down the film, saying, "The script was too perfect. I couldn’t believe it. Could a Korean film really pull this off? Moreover, the director had two failed films. I thought, 'Is he really going to make this work?'”
However, he eventually trusted Park Chan Wook, recalling his first impression of the director: "I visited Myung Film’s office, and someone came around the corner wearing a trench coat. I was overwhelmed by his indelible class and elegance. At that moment, I trusted him."
He also jokingly added, "Watching this film again after so long, I thought, 'There was a time when I didn’t envy Lee Byung Hun.' (Laughs) He looked so cool and young. 'JSA' has a depth and elegance that still holds up today."
Since 2020, CJ ENM has recognized 'Visionaries'—figures who have introduced new perspectives in popular culture across broadcasting, film, music, and entertainment. To celebrate its 30th anniversary, CJ ENM highlighted works that shaped the industry and led paradigm shifts, selecting 'Joint Security Area JSA' in the film category.
The film remains one of the most significant in Korean cinema history, having redefined the war genre and established Park Chan Wook as a world-renowned director.
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